A SWISS Boeing 777 travelling from Chicago to Zurich has made a precautionary diversion to the Azores after an unidentified smell in the economy cabin caused a crew member and several passengers to experience physical symptoms.
A SWISS Boeing 777-300ER has diverted to the Portuguese island of Terceira after a strong, unidentified odour was detected in its economy-class cabin.
Flight LX9 was approximately halfway across the Atlantic on Tuesday, August 25, when the flight crew decided to divert to Lajes Airport in the Azores.
The aircraft, registered HB-JNF, was carrying 222 passengers and 16 crew members, comprising two pilots and 14 cabin crew.
SWISS described the problem as a “pungent odor in the Economy Class cabin” whose source could not immediately be identified.
An emergency was declared in coordination with air traffic control, ensuring that the aircraft received priority while diverting. The airline stressed that its crew had acted out of caution, saying: “Our crews take no risks.”
The Boeing landed safely at Lajes at approximately 6.30am local time and was able to leave the runway under its own power. There was no emergency evacuation, and everyone onboard disembarked normally.
Crew Member and Five Passengers Assessed
Five passengers and one crew member underwent precautionary medical examinations after briefly experiencing symptoms including eye irritation, nausea and headaches.
According to SWISS, none of those examined required further medical treatment. The airline has not disclosed whether the affected employee was a pilot or member of the cabin crew.
Despite the safe outcome, the incident will have presented the cabin crew with a challenging situation. Alongside monitoring the unidentified odour and assisting those feeling unwell, the 14-strong team would have been responsible for preparing the cabin and passengers for the unscheduled landing.
All 238 people onboard were able to leave the aircraft in the usual manner after it reached its parking position.
Replacement Aircraft Sent to Terceira
SWISS arranged for a replacement Boeing 777 to fly from Zurich to Terceira later on Tuesday to collect the stranded passengers and crew. The recovery flight was expected to arrive in Zurich at approximately 10.15pm.
Flight-tracking information identified the replacement aircraft as HB-JNK. The deployment forced SWISS to cancel flight LX8 from Zurich to Chicago and its subsequent return service, with alternative arrangements being made for affected passengers.
The airline’s chief operating officer, Oliver Buchhofer, confirmed to the media that the passengers would be returned to Switzerland aboard one of the carrier’s own aircraft, according to Swissinfo.
Meanwhile, HB-JNF has remained on Terceira for a thorough technical inspection. SWISS said it could not yet determine what had caused the smell and would not speculate before its investigation was completed.
Flight data shows that LX9 departed Chicago O’Hare at 00.34 UTC before diverting to Terceira rather than continuing to Zurich. Flightradar24 recorded the aircraft’s arrival in the Azores and the subsequent positioning of the replacement jet.
While the cause remains unknown, the precautionary diversion ensured that those experiencing symptoms could be assessed promptly and that the aircraft could be examined safely on the ground.
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